"Rebuilding the economy is the nation's top priority, and Romney makes the best case among the Republicans that he could do that, " The newspaper writes." "Mitt Romney is making his second bid for Iowans' support after an unsuccessful run in 2008. We did not endorse him then, but this is a different field, and he has matured as a candidate."

"He stands out in the current field of Republican candidates. He has solid credentials in a career that includes running and starting successful businesses, turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics and working with both political parties as Massachusetts governor to pass important initiatives," the endorsement states.

The Des Moines Register statement also lists,in part, why they did not choose some of Romney's closest rivals in Iowa:

"He stands out especially among candidates now in the top tier: Newt Gingrich is an undisciplined partisan who would alienate, not unite, if he reverts to mean-spirited attacks on display as House speaker. Ron Paul's libertarian ideology would lead to economic chaos and isolationism, neither of which this nation can afford."

In a brief statement on Twitter, Romney said he was "proud" to receive the Des Moines Register's endorsement.